The Cardrona Hotel is one of New Zealand’s most beloved historic landmarks. With its vintage character, mountain backdrop, and deep roots in local history, it’s a place that captures both the eye and the imagination. Next to it is a red vintage petrol pump, windows of a red phone booth and charming old cottages. I…
Tag: Travels
Please look after this bear, thanks
Saw this in One of the windows in York.I found it so cute especially with what the tag says. Cute RED boots and rain hat too! I am linking this to Debbie’s 6WS and link number 2 for Becky’s Simply Red
Sit & Knit
Spotted these two red chairs in the town of Te Anau, NZ—right by the lake and just too cute to ignore. Te Anau’s known as the gateway to Fiordland, but honestly, it’s got its own quiet charm that makes you want to stay a little longer. The chairs had a little sign that said ‘Sit…
London in Monochrome
There’s no set theme for this week’s Monochrome Madness Challenge, so I’ve decided to feature monochrome shots from my travels. Monochrome scenes of London adds mood and timelessness to the city’s iconic sights. The London Eye stands still against a moody sky, while Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament glow in contrast. A red…
Quiet Hours
This week, SH is our Guest Host for the Lens-Artists Photo Challenge, and the theme is “Quiet Hours” It’s a gentle reminder to pause and notice the stillness—whether it’s a quiet sunrise by the sea, an early walk through empty streets, or a mountain view that leaves you breathless. These are the moments that ground…
Ditch swallowed a little red car
Spotted on Acland Street in St Kilda a little red car casually parked in a ditch—on purpose! No accidents here, just a quirky display that makes you do a double look. It’s like it’s saying, “Let’s turn roadworks into art.” And honestly? It works. Because only here could a car halfway underground still look cool….
Red Phone Booth Door
I still remember the first time I saw a red phone booth on my first trip to London back in 2016 — it was love at first sight! There’s just something about them that feels so iconic and charming. Ever since then, I’ve been a little obsessed. Every time I spot a red phone booth…
Hungary in Monochrome
This week, Sarah is leading the Monochrome Madness Challenge with the theme “Beginning with an H”—and for me, it was an easy choice: Hungary. I visited Budapest, the capital of Hungary, a few years ago, and it instantly became one of those cities that stayed with me long after I’ve left. For this post, I’m…
Tuesday Streetart – 94
This is “Living My Own Fairytale” done by ꓘLƎR, a street artist from Switzerland. This can be found in Wells Street in Bristol. Simply Red
Kia Ora Aotearoa
TRAVEL DIARY: DAY 14 QUEENSTOWN The Māori are the Indigenous Polynesian people of New Zealand (Aotearoa). They first settled the islands over 700 years ago. In New Zealand, “kia ora” is a common Māori greeting meaning “hello,” “goodbye,” or “thank you.” More than a phrase, it conveys a wish for well-being—“have life” or “be well.”…
Macau in Monochrome
There’s no set theme for this week’s Monochrome Madness Challenge, so I’ve decided to feature monochrome shots from my travels. This was in 2012 when we visited Macau. Macau in black and white feels calm and full of history. The ruins of St. Paul’s and old churches look even more special with their worn stone…
Strolling around Te Anau
TRAVEL DIARY: DAY 12 TE ANAU On our 12th day, the rain poured nonstop. Luckily, we had this extra day to stay in—it would’ve been too difficult to drive. So, it turned into a Netflix kind of day. TRAVEL DIARY: DAY 13 DRIVE FROM TE ANAU TO QUEENSTOWN What a surprise—the sun came out just…
A Window In Lisbon
I happened to see this window in Lisbon while I was on a tram ride. I find it charming with its soft blue paint with a metal grill that is full of swirls and patterns—so detailed and pretty. There’s also a cross above, so it’s probably part of a church.
Chinese Settlement in Arrowtown
Let me take you back to Arrowtown, New Zealand—this time, in the opposite direction from the main street I shared earlier. The first thing that caught my eye was a historic cabin nestled against a forest backdrop. It is the old Police Hut in the Chinese Settlement of Arrowtown which is a favourite among photographers….
Modes of Transportation in Monochrome
This week’s Monochrome challenge is from Dawn, with the topic of Modes of Transportation I have decided to separate it in three categories-by land, by water, and by air. There are so many ways to get around by land – bikes and jeepneys zip through the Philippines, trains old and new roll through Porto, and…
Tuesday Streetart: Giant Spray Cans – 92
Before the earthquakes hit Christchurch in 2011, street art was mostly seen as graffiti or vandalism. But after the quakes, the damaged buildings gave artists a chance to turn the city into something more colourful and creative. In 2017, these giant spray cans were set up as a way to give artists a proper space…
Coach Tour to Milford Sound
TRAVEL DIARY: DAY 11 MILFORD SOUND Our day started with a 9 am walk from our hotel, passing through the Te Anau Botanical. Such a peaceful walk especially during this time of the day. Met the rest of the tour group at the town centre in Kea Cafe. Got our lunch voucher from our tour…
Drive to Te Anau
TRAVEL DIARY: DAY 10 DRIVE FROM QUEENSTOWN TO TE ANAU This drive felt exciting—we knew that tomorrow we’d be heading to Milford Sound, the highlight of our entire trip. But today’s journey was simply about getting to a small country town where we’d be staying. When we finally arrived in Te Anau, the town turned…
Geometric Windows in Christchurch
This is the Ao Tawhiti Unlimited Discovery School in Christchurch. I was attracted to the windows and its modern architecture. This is the Christchurch City Hotel located in the city centre with its square and round windows.
Reflections
There’s something calming about reflections. It lets us see the world from another angle. On my travels, I’ve come across many beautiful moments where water turned into a mirror—showing not just what was there, but something more quiet and poetic. Here, I’m sharing some of my favourite places where reflections made me pause, look twice,…
Day Trip to Arrowtown
TRAVEL DIARY: DAY 9 DAYTRIP TO ARROWTOWN Arrowtown is a small town near Queenstown on New Zealand’s South Island. It began as a gold mining town, and you can still see that history in its old cottages and stone buildings. Many of the houses were built in the 1860s, when Chinese miners and European settlers…
Wordless Wednesday – 38
GUGGENHEIM MUSEUM, BILBAO
Hong Kong in Monochrome
There’s no set theme for this week’s Monochrome Madness Challenge, so I’ve decided to feature monochrome shots from my travels. This week I turn my lens toward Hong Kong—a city that’s always moving, always changing, and striking even without colour. This was 2012 when I went to HK with Jack, my sister and my niece…
Windows in Porto
This beautiful building, with its white-paned windows and ornate details, is a striking example of old-world charm in Porto. The curved balconies and decorative columns add elegance, while the rows of matching white windows bring symmetry and grace to the facade. Looking closer is a whimsical mural just above the ground floor—and a sculpted face….
Stormy times
I’m originally from the Philippines, a tropical country where storms are a regular part of life. Growing up, I was used to them—when a storm rolled in, we stayed home. Schools would close, sometimes offices would shut down as well, and everything came to a standstill. These storms weren’t gentle either—they were strong, often followed…
The Giant’s House
In the charming town of Akaroa, New Zealand, artist Josie Martin has turned an old 1880s villa, known as The Giant’s House, into a colourful and imaginative sanctuary. It is said the be the “Happiest Garden on Earth.” The Giants House has become a part of Akaroa’s folklore, earning its name when a small child,…
Tuesday Streetart: Antarctic Gateway City – 90
RIVERSIDE MARKET, CHRISTCHURCH This awesome mural was created to celebrate Christchurch’s special role as a gateway to Antarctica. You’ll find it just outside Riverside Market, right on the corner of Cashel Street and Oxford Terrace. This is the third week in a row I’ve featured street artist Dcypher—clearly a favourite! This piece was a team…
Windows in an Arrowtown church
This is the charming St John’s Presbyterian Church in Arrowtown, New Zealand. It’s a small stone church with a peaceful presence, quietly nestled among trees and layers of history. Above its entrance is a beautifully shaped stained glass window that immediately caught my eye. I felt drawn to it, so I wandered down to the…
Queenstown
TRAVEL DIARY: DAY 8 QUEENSTOWN Walking through town from our hotel, it was easy to see why Queenstown calls itself the adventure capital. There are so many thrill-seeking activities—skydiving, jet boating, bungy jumping, you name it! Well not for me thank you very much Sometimes it’s best to just wander around Queenstown. This wharf’s a…
Day trip to Glenorchy
TRAVEL DIARY: DAY 7 DAYTRIP TO GLENORCHY We set off bright and early from our place on Gorge Street in Queenstown, excited for the day ahead. First stop is the Wilson Bay Reserve. Wilson Bay is a nice little lookout on the road between Queenstown and Glenorchy. Still on the winding road to Glenorchy. Jack…